In 2016, distracted driving was the cause of almost 50,000 automobile accidents, over 3,500 injuries, and 233 deaths in the state of Florida.
According to a Miami news report, Governor Ron DeSantis has introduced a new law which makes texting while driving a primary offense in the state of Florida. Florida's current law only allowed officers to "cite drivers for texting if they are pulled over for another violation." Now officers will be able to stop motorists specifically for texting.
With Florida being one of the last states to enforce this law, texting while driving has taken an enormous tole. The Governor stated that in 2016 alone, distracted driving was the cause of almost 50,000 automobile accidents and 233 deaths in Florida. News4Jax reported last year that "distracted driving crashes have increased 25 percent since 2013," resulting in more than 200 deaths in 2017 as well.
A 2017 study had Florida ranked second in the nation to Louisiana for distracted driving. Through an app, driver data was gathered to measure "speeding, sudden acceleration, aggressive turning, hard braking and other movement while the driver's phone was being used." The results showed that 92% percent of Americans used cell phones while driving within the 30-day study period, Florida receiving the second worst score.
With Florida being one of the last states to enforce this law, texting while driving has taken an enormous tole. The Governor stated that in 2016 alone, distracted driving was the cause of almost 50,000 automobile accidents and 233 deaths in Florida. News4Jax reported last year that "distracted driving crashes have increased 25 percent since 2013," resulting in more than 200 deaths in 2017 as well.
A 2017 study had Florida ranked second in the nation to Louisiana for distracted driving. Through an app, driver data was gathered to measure "speeding, sudden acceleration, aggressive turning, hard braking and other movement while the driver's phone was being used." The results showed that 92% percent of Americans used cell phones while driving within the 30-day study period, Florida receiving the second worst score.
"I would move to make distracted driving a primary offense so officers can act on it," said Fort Lauderale Police assistant chief Douglas MacDougall back in 2017. Like him, police officers have long waited for the ability to treat texting while driving as a first offense. MacDougall himself has witnessed too many close calls, including a driver that almost hit him.
"I was driving on the turnpike and there was slow traffic and when the traffic picked up I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a white vehicle coming. I pulled off into a left [lane] and the vehicle barely hit the vehicle in front [of me] and he had a cellphone in his right hand."
"I was driving on the turnpike and there was slow traffic and when the traffic picked up I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a white vehicle coming. I pulled off into a left [lane] and the vehicle barely hit the vehicle in front [of me] and he had a cellphone in his right hand."
Though this law takes effect July 1, 2019, only warnings will be given to drivers until January 2020. After that date, officers will then begin to start writing out citations. A $30 fine will be issued for the first offense, followed by a $60 fine for a second. Then along with those fines come court costs and fees. Points will also be added to drivers'licenses.
This new law does not apply to drivers using GPS systems or who are stationary.
This new law does not apply to drivers using GPS systems or who are stationary.